Weddings

Thank you for considering the Seward House Museum for your wedding ceremony, wedding reception, or wedding photo shoot!  Since 1955, the Seward House Museum has welcomed couples to experience their special day on the grounds of this beautiful National Historic Landmark property. Couples may choose the Seward House Museum for their ceremony site, reception site, or both.  Our elegant gardens, with the Seward House as a backdrop, are perfect to celebrate your special day! 

Built in 1816 with only 10 rooms originally, the Seward House Museum is an Italianate mansion with over 30 rooms today. The gardens provide a lovely outdoor venue, either when our flowers are in bloom, or our leaves are changing color.  The interior of the museum is perfect for wedding photographs during any season. 

Since the nineteenth century, this historic estate – home to three generations of the Seward family – has hosted a number of weddings and receptions. 

One of the last Seward family weddings to take place here occurred on the evening of June 3, 1884.  William Seward’s granddaughter, Nellie (Cornelia), recited her vows to Frederick Innis Allen in a bower of flowers in the alcove of the drawing room.  The house was filled with hydrangeas, fuchsias, and lilies of the valley.  Only a few intimate friends and family attended the service, led by the Rev. C. C. Hemenway of the Central Presbyterian Church. 

What they lacked in wedding guests, however, they made up for at the reception, which comprised nearly a thousand guests.  Townspeople gathered on South Street to watch carriage after carriage roll up and leave their elegant passengers on the arched canopied walkway leading to the front door.  In the garden a temporary supper room had been built, extending from the main dining room.  Under a blue tinted canopy, it had white walls covered with evergreens, and was lit by a chandelier with 25 gas jets.  Partygoers enjoyed a feast catered by Teall of Rochester and danced to Strauss waltzes played by the Dousek Orchestra of Syracuse. 

We encourage couples who are considering our venue to visit the Seward House Museum. 

Please see for our Wedding Rental Policy and Agreement:  2020_SHM_WeddingRental.pdf

To schedule a personal wedding tour of our historic estate, book your wedding event or inquire further, please contact our Director of Development or call (315) 252-1283.